Crapo sentenced, releases statement
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January 4, 2013 |
 U.S.
Senator Mike Crapo, charged with DUI after
running a red light December 23 in Alexandra,
Virginia, pled guilty to the misdemeanor charge
Friday. After being sentenced, he issued a
statement taking responsibility for his lapse
and apologizing to his family, his church, his
colleagues and to the people he represents.
Crapo was sentenced to a suspended four-month
jail term, lost his drivers license for a year,
fined $250, placed on probation and ordered to
undergo an alcohol safety program.
Here is Crapo's statement in full:
"I have recently made personal choices that are
at odds with who I am, who Idahoans rightly
believe me to be and who I strive to be. I
believe public officials should be held to
higher standards, since I have been entrusted by
Idahoans to make choices and votes on their
behalf. I offer my apologies, ask for your
forgiveness for my recent failings and I make a
firm commitment that I will strive to regain the
trust that I have lost.
"As a public servant, I owe Idahoans a full and
accurate explanation of my failings. I
appreciate the opportunity that I have had in
the last few days to privately explain and
apologize to my family. I love them deeply and
appreciate their encouragement and support in
helping me face this situation.
"In recent months, and for less than a year, I
have on occasion had alcoholic drinks in my
apartment in Washington, DC. It was a poor
choice to use alcohol to relieve stress — and
one at odds with my personally-held religious
beliefs.
"However, on the night of Saturday, December
22nd, I made another even worse decision to go
for a drive to get out of my apartment and try
to wind down. I left my apartment, driving out
past the monuments. I was alone during this
drive and never left my vehicle. After driving
around for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, I
realized what a mistake it had been for me to
drive and decided to return to my apartment. I
approached a multi-street intersection and
mistakenly turned against a red light. It was at
that time that the police pulled me over. As has
been publicly reported, I cooperated fully with
the officer. I failed the field sobriety tests.
As you know, I pled guilty and will follow
through on the punishment imposed by the court.
"As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is well-known
for its standards against consumption of
alcohol, I have endeavored for the majority of
my life to be an upstanding representative of my
faith. My mistake in using alcohol in recent
months has therefore brought additional
embarrassment and shame to me, my family and
other church members who care about me. I will
carry through on the appropriate measures for
repentance, and I ask all of you for your
forgiveness.
"I sincerely regret the choice I made for many
reasons, especially because tragic consequences
can result from drinking and driving. I am
truly, truly grateful that no one was injured
and, as has been suggested, I will find an
opportunity to help further the message: “don’t
drink and drive”.
"In summary, I am profoundly sorry for the pain
and embarrassment that I have brought to my
family, to Idahoans, to my church, to my
colleagues in the U.S. Senate and my staff, to
anyone who has placed their trust in me. I am
also deeply appreciative of those who have
reached out to me over the last few days with
messages of encouragement, support and
forgiveness. These words mean more to me and my
family than they can ever know. I will work hard
to regain the trust of my family and Idahoans."
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